Aminath Shirna, a veteran health executive, was named CEO of the National Social Protection Agency (NSPA) on Monday.

The appointment follows the recent designation of Heena Waleed as Heritage Minister on April 14.

Before becoming the CEO of NSPA, Shirna held the position of state minister at the Ministry of Health. She was first assigned the responsibility of overseeing the Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) or the Thalassemia Center, but was relieved of her role last year due to organizational changes that resulted in the center being removed from the Health Ministry's oversight. The alterations occurred following the criticism directed at MBS and Shirna for the lack of medicine and service disruptions affecting thalassemia patients.

She was subsequently assigned to oversee the Health Protection Agency (HPA), Dhamanaveshi, and blood banks.

Shirna holds two Master’s degrees in health and worked as a nurse for more than 20 years prior to joining the Health Ministry.

She is currently responsible for overseeing NSPA, the government agency tasked with delivering medical aid through the Aasandha scheme and distributing state benefits to individuals with disabilities and single parents. The agency is responsible for overseeing the fund that provides financial assistance to couples experiencing fertility challenges to access IVF treatments.